Sample Project 11

Networked Drive-Thru Timer box

The Problem/need:

A previous project provided a simple board that read loop sensors
and reported their changes to a PC via a serial interface. This
had worked well. A better solution was desired. Use of a network
interface was desired and much of the processing of the data would
be moved to the embedded controller. This allows the system to
collect data even when the PC is shutdown or restarted.

A small board with an RCM2200 module controls the system. Controlling
software was written to collect the data, track car positions
and then report the data over a serial or LAN connection. Drive-thru
statistics are sent to serial LED displays. The box will store
the data for up to several days of results if the controlling
PC is down.

Project Success:

The box has worked well. The client has added numerous features
since the initial design. Additional projects were added. One
is a service for Windows that collects the data from the boxes
and stores the results in an MS Access database. This has allowed
the client to simplify their software design. They just have to
read the data from the database.

The firmware has been expanded to include driving LED displays
with performace metrics and messages ("Good Job" Hurry
Up!"). It also maintains statistics. If the server goes down,
it can buffer up to two days of data.